N E W S   R E L E A S E

For information contact:
Joni Morford, Communicore
714/721-8081
jmorford@communicore.com


ORQUEST AND SPINE-TECH ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE TO DEVELOP 
MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINAL FUSION SYSTEM


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE......December 16, 1996......Mountain View, 
Calif......Orquest, Inc. and Spine-Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPYN) today announced a 
strategic alliance to evaluate combining Orquest's Healos¨, a unique bone grafting 
material, with Spine-Tech's BAK¨ line of interbody-fusion devices.  This 
collaboration will develop the use of Healos in BAK devices as an alternative to the 
use of autograft (the patient's own bone) in BAK devices.

Autograft is the most common bone grafting material and is used in over 80 percent 
of all bone grafting procedures.  Harvesting autograft, however, lengthens the time 
and increases the cost of surgery and can cause hip pain, a longer hospital stay, and 
post-operative disability.

Orquest developed Healos to be a better-handling, safe, and cost-effective 
alternative to autograft.  Healos is a patented, fully resorbable and biocompatible 
matrix that facilitates the natural bone healing process.  It is a porous and sponge-
like matrix of collagen mineralized with resorbable hydroxyapatite that provides the 
"scaffold" which allows for bone formation.  Clinical trials evaluating Healos in spinal 
fusions are currently in progress in Europe.

"We are excited about the opportunities created by combining two leading 
technologies that provide the surgeon and patient with the most advanced product 
for spinal fusions," said S. Mitchell Seyedin, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman of the 
Board, and Chief Scientific Officer of Orquest.

The BAK Interbody-Fusion System is comprised of hollow, threaded, titanium alloy 
cylinders which can be implanted in the spaces between two or three adjoining 
vertebrae in the lumbar spine, as well as the instruments used to implant the device.  

Spine-Tech's BAK Interbody Fusion System received clearance for marketing from 
the FDA on September 20, 1996.  Spine-Tech will file an IDE shortly for clinical 
evaluation of Healos in BAK cages.

"Our pioneering technology for less invasive spine surgery will be further enhanced 
by inclusion of Healos, eliminating the need for a second surgery to harvest the 
patient's own bone grafting material," said David W. Stasson, President and CEO of 
Spine-Tech.

Orquest, Inc., a private company, was founded in 1994 to develop, manufacture, 
and commercialize cost-effective bioengineered matrices for the regeneration of 
bone and cartilage tissues in targeted indications.  Orquest currently has two 
orthopedic products in development:  Healos, an implantable matrix and a 
synthetic bone graft alternative, and Ossigelª, an injectable matrix for accelerated 
fracture healing.

Spine-Tech, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and markets spinal implants and 
instruments for the surgical treatment of spinal conditions.  Spine-Tech, Inc. is the 
pioneer of interbody-fusion devices for spinal fusions.


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